Growth differentiation factor-3

ABSTRACT

Growth Differentiation factor-3 (GDF-3) is disclosed along with its polynucleotide sequence and amino acid sequence. Also disclosed are diagnostic and therapeutic methods of using the GDF-3 polypeptide and polynucleotide sequences.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates generally to growth factors and specifically to a new member of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) superfamily, which is denoted, growth differentiation factor-3 (GDF-3).

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] The transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily encompasses a group of structurally-related proteins which affect a wide range of differentiation processes during embryonic development. The family includes, Mullerian inhibiting substance (MIS), which is required for normal male sex development (Behringer, et al., Nature, 345:167, 1990), Drosophila decapentaplegic (DPP) gene product, which is required for dorsal-ventral axis formation and morphogenesis of the imaginal disks (Padgett, et al., Nature, 325:81 -84,1987), the Xenopus Vg-1 gene product, which localizes to the vegetal pole of eggs ((Weeks, et al., Cell, 51:861-867, 1987), the activins (Mason, et al., Biochem, Biophys. Res. Commun., 135:957-964, 1986), which can induce the formation of mesoderm and anterior structures in Xenopus embryos (Thomsen, et al., Cell, 63:485, 1990), and the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs, osteogenin, OP-1) which can induce de novo cartilage and bone formation (Sampath, et al., J. Biol. Chem., 265:13198, 1990). The TGF-βs can influence a variety of differentiation processes, including adipogenesis, myogenesis, chondrogenesis, hematopoiesis, and epithelial cell differentiation (for review, see Massague, Cell 49:437, 1987).

[0005] The proteins of the TGF-β family are initially synthesized as a large precursor protein which subsequently undergoes proteolytic cleavage at a cluster of basic residues approximately 110-140 amino acids from the C-terminus. The C-terminal regions of the proteins are all structurally related and the different family members can be classified into distinct subgroups based on the extent of their homology. Although the homologies within particular subgroups range from 70% to 90% amino acid sequence identity, the homologies between subgroups are significantly lower, generally ranging from only 20% to 50%. In each case, the active species appears to be a disulfide-linked dimer of C-terminal fragments. For most of the family members that have been studied, the homodimeric species has been found to be biologically active, but for other family members, like the inhibins (Ling, et al., Nature, 321:779, 1986) and the TGF-βs (Cheifetz, et al., Cell, 48:409, 1987), heterodimers have also been detected, and these appear to have different biological properties than the respective homodimers.

[0006] Identification of new factors that are tissue-specific in their expression pattern will provide a greater understanding of that tissue's development and function.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention provides a cell growth and differentiation factor, GDF-3, a polynucleotide sequence which encodes the factor, and antibodies which are immunoreactive with the factor. This factor appears to relate to various cell proliferative disorders, especially those involving those involving hematopoietic and adipose tissue, as well as disorders related to the function of the immune system.

[0008] Thus, in one embodiment, the invention provides a method for detecting a cell proliferative or immunologic disorder of bone marrow, spleen, thymus or fat origin and which is associated with GDF-3. In another embodiment, the invention provides a method of treating a cell proliferative or immunologic disorder associated with abnormal levels of expression of GDF-3, by suppressing or enhancing GDF-3 activity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 shows expression of GDF-3 mRNA in adult tissues.

[0010]FIG. 2 shows nucleotide and predicted amino acid sequence of GDF-3. Consensus N-glycosylation signals are denoted by plain boxes. The putative tetrabasic processing sites are denoted by stippled boxes. The in-frame termination codons upstream of the putative initiating ATG and the consensus polyadenylation signals are underlined. The poly A tails are not shown. Numbers indicate nucleotide position relative to the 5′ end.

[0011]FIG. 3 shows the alignment of the C-terminal sequences of GDF-3 with other members of the TGF-β family. The conserved cysteine residues are shaded. Dashes denote gaps introduced in order to maximize alignment.

[0012]FIG. 4 shows amino acid homologies among the different members of the TGF-β superfamily. Numbers represent percent amino acid identities between each pair calculated from the first conserved cysteine to the C-terminus. Boxes represent homologies among highly-related members within particular subgroups.

[0013]FIG. 5 shows the partial nucleotide and predicted amino acid sequences of human GDF-3.

[0014]FIG. 6 shows Southern analysis of murine and human genomic DNA digested with Bam HI (B), Eco RI (E), or Hind III (H) and probed with either mouse or human GDF-3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The present invention provides a growth and differentiation factor, GDF-3 and a polynucleotide sequence encoding GDF-3. GDF-3 is expressed primarily in the bone marrow, spleen, thymus and adipose tissue and may have multiple regulatory roles in animals. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for detection of a cell proliferative or immunologic disorder of the bone marrow, spleen, thymus or adipose tissue which is associated with GDF-3 expression. In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for treating a cell proliferative or immunologic disorder associated with abnormal expression of GDF-3 by using an agent which suppresses or enhances GDF-3 activity.

[0016] The TGF-β superfamily consists of multifunctionally polypeptides that control proliferation, differentiation, and other functions in many cell types. Many of the peptides have regulatory, both positive and negative, effects on other peptide growth factors. The structural homology between the GDF-3 protein of this invention and the members of the TGF-β family, indicates that GDF-3 is a new member of the family of growth and differentiation factors. Based on the known activities of many of the other members, it can be expected that GDF-3 will also possess biological activities that will make it useful as a diagnostic and therapeutic reagent.

[0017] For example, TGF-β has been shown to have a wide range of immuno-regulatory activities, including potent suppressive effects on B and T cell proliferation and function (for review, see Palladino, et al., Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 593:181, 1990). GDF-3 may also have similar activities and, therefore, may be useful as an anti-inflammatory agent or as a treatment for disorders related to abnormal proliferation of lymphocytes. In addition, both TGF-β and activin have been postulated to play a role in hematopoiesis. Specifically, TGF-β has been shown to be an inhibitor of the growth of early hematopoietic progenitor cells (for review, see Moore, Blood 78:1, 1991); in this regard, GDF-3 may be useful for protecting hematopoietic stem cells during chemotherapy. In addition, activin has been shown to be expressed in the bone marrow and spleen (Shiozaki, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 89:1553, 1992) and to be capable of inducing erythroid differentiation (Murata, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.USA, 85:2434, 1988). GDF-3 may possess a similar activity and may be useful for the treatment of diseases like thalassemias or sickle cell anemia. TGF-β has also been shown to be a potent inhibitor of adipocyte differentiation in vitro (Ignotz and Massague, Proc.Natl.Acad.Sci.,USA 82:8530, 1985); in this regard, GDF-3 may be useful for the treatment of obesity or of disorders related to abnormal proliferation of adipocytes.

[0018] GDF-3 may also function as a growth stimulatory factor and therefore be useful for the survival of various cell populations in vitro. In particular, if GDF-3 plays a role in the stimulation of proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells, GDF-3 may have applications in chemotherapy, in bone marrow transplants or in the treatment of certain types of anemias. GDF-3 can be used to rapidly expand stem cell and progenitor cell populations in vitro, greatly reducing the amount of tissue required for transplantation. In addition, GDF-3 may be useful in maintaining stem cell populations prior to transplantation. Many other of the members of the TGF-β family are also important mediators of tissue repair. TGF-β has been shown to have marked effects on the formation of collagen and causes a striking angiogenic response in the newborn mouse (Roberts, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 83:4167, 1986). GDF-3 may also have similar activities and may be useful in repair of tissue injury caused by trauma or burns for example.

[0019] The term “substantially pure” as used herein refers to GDF-3 which is substantially free of other proteins, lipids, carbohydrates or other materials with which it is naturally associated. One skilled in the art can purify GDF-3 using standard techniques for protein purification. The substantially pure polypeptide will yield a single major band on a non-reducing polyacrylamide gel. The purity of the GDF-3 polypeptide can also be determined by amino-terminal amino acid sequence analysis. GDF-3 polypeptide includes functional fragments of the polypeptide, as long as the activity of GDF-3 remains. Smaller peptides containing the biological activity of GDF-3 are included in the invention.

[0020] The invention provides polynucleotides encoding the GDF-3 protein. These polynucleotides include DNA, cDNA and RNA sequences which encode GDF-3. It is understood that all polynucleotides encoding all or a portion of GDF-3 are also included herein, as long as they encode a polypeptide with GDF-3 activity. Such polynucleotides include naturally occurring, synthetic, and intentionally manipulated polynucleotides. For example, GDF-3 polynucleotide may be subjected to site-directed mutagenesis. The polynucleotide sequence for GDF-3 also includes antisense sequences. The polynucleotides of the invention include sequences that are degenerate as a result of the genetic code. There are 20 natural amino acids, most of which are specified by more than one codon. Therefore, all degenerate nucleotide sequences are included in the invention as long as the amino acid sequence of GDF-3 polypeptide encoded by the nucleotide sequence is functionally unchanged.

[0021] Specifically disclosed herein is a cDNA sequence for GDF-3 which is 1280 base pairs in length and contains an open reading frame beginning with a methionine codon at nucleotide 122. The encoded polypeptide is 366 amino acids in length with a molecular weight of about 41.5 kD, as determined by nucleotide sequence analysis. Upstream of the putative initiating methionine is an in-frame termination codon beginning at nucleotide 77. The GDF-3 sequence contains a core of hydrophobic amino acids near the N-terminus, suggestive of a signal sequence for secretion. GDF-3 contains two potential N-glycosylation sites at asparagine residues 113 and 308 and a putative tetrabasic proteolytic processing site (RKRR) at amino acids 249-252. Cleavage at this site would generate a mature fragment of GDF-3 predicted to be 114 amino acids in length and have an unglycosylated molecular weight of about 13.0 kD, as determined by nucleotide sequence analysis. One skilled in the art can modify, or partially or completely remove, the glycosyl groups from the GDF-3 protein using standard techniques. Therefore the functional protein or fragments thereof of the invention includes glycosylated, partially glycosylated and unglycosylated species of GDF-3.

[0022] The C-terminal region of GDF-3 following the putative proteolytic processing site shows significant homology to the known members of the TGF-β superfamily. The GDF-3 sequence contains most of the residues that are highly conserved in other family members (see FIG. 3). However, the GDF-3 sequence contains an altered pattern of cysteine residues in this C-terminal region. In particular, GDF-3 lacks one of the seven cysteine residues that are conserved in all other family members; that is, at amino acid position 330, where all other family members contain a cysteine residue, the GDF-3 sequence contains a valine residue. In addition, GDF-3 contains an additional cysteine residue at position 262, ten amino acids following the predicted cleavage site.

[0023] Among the known mammalian TGF-β family members, GDF-3 is most homologous to Vgr-1 and BMP-2 (53% sequence identity). GDF-3 is slightly more homologous to Xenopus Vg-1 (57% sequence identity), but is unlikely to be the murine homolog of Vg-1 (for example, Vgr-1 and BMP-2 are as homologous to Vg-1 as GDF-3 is to Vg-1). However, GDF-3 does show homology to both GDF-1 and Vg-1 in the pro-region upstream of the putative tetrabasic processing site (28% and 29%, respectively); this degree of sequence relatedness is comparable to that seen in the pro- regions between TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 (33%; de Martin, et al., EMBO J., 6:3673, 1987). GDF-3 is also similar to GDF-1 in the degree to which its sequence is diverged across species. As is the case for GDF-1, the sequence homology between murine and human GDF-3 appears to be only in the range of 80-85% amino acid identity.

[0024] Minor modifications of the recombinant GDF-3 primary amino acid sequence may result in proteins which have substantially equivalent activity as compared to the GDF-3 polypeptide described herein. Such modifications may be deliberate, as by site-directed mutagenesis, or may be spontaneous. All of the polypeptides produced by these modifications are included herein as long as the biological activity of GDF-3 still exists. Further, deletion of one or more amino acids can also result in a modification of the structure of the resultant molecule without significantly altering its biological activity. This can lead to the development of a smaller active molecule which would have broader utility. For example, one can remove amino or carboxy terminal amino acids which are not required for GDF-3 biological activity.

[0025] The nucleotide sequence encoding the GDF-3 polypeptide of the invention includes the disclosed sequence and conservative variations thereof. The term “conservative variation” as used herein denotes the replacement of an amino acid residue by another, biologically similar residue. Examples of conservative variations include the substitution of one hydrophobic residue such as isoleucine, valine, leucine or methionine for another, or the substitution of one polar residue for another, such as the substitution of arginine for lysine, glutamic for aspartic acids, or glutamine for asparagine, and the like. The term “conservative variation” also includes the use of a substituted amino acid in place of an unsubstituted parent amino acid provided that antibodies raised to the substituted polypeptide also immunoreact with the unsubstituted polypeptide.

[0026] DNA sequences of the invention can be obtained by several methods. For example, the DNA can be isolated using hybridization techniques which are well known in the art. These include, but are not limited to: 1) hybridization of genomic or cDNA libraries with probes to detect homologous nucleotide sequences, 2) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on genomic DNA or cDNA using primers capable of annealing to the DNA sequence of interest, and 3) antibody screening of expression libraries to detect cloned DNA fragments with shared structural features.

[0027] Preferably the GDF-3 polynucleotide of the invention is derived from a mammalian organism, and most preferably from a mouse, rat, or human. Screening procedures which rely on nucleic acid hybridization make it possible to isolate any gene sequence from any organism, provided the appropriate probe is available. Oligonucleotide probes, which correspond to a part of the sequence encoding the protein in question, can be synthesized chemically. This requires that short, oligopeptide stretches of amino acid sequence must be known. The DNA sequence encoding the protein can be deduced from the genetic code, however, the degeneracy of the code must be taken into account. It is possible to perform a mixed addition reaction when the sequence is degenerate. This includes a heterogeneous mixture of denatured double-stranded DNA. For such screening, hybridization is preferably performed on either single-stranded DNA or denatured double-stranded DNA. Hybridization is particularly useful in the detection of cDNA clones derived from source where an extremely low amount of mRNA sequences relating to the polypeptide of interest are present. In other words, by using stringent hybridization conditions directed to avoid non-specific binding, it is possible, for example, to allow the autoradiographic visualization of a specific cDNA clone by the hybridization of the target DNA to that single probe in the mixture which is its complete complement (Wallace, et al., Nucl. Acid Res., 9:879, 1981).

[0028] The development of specific DNA sequences encoding GDF-3 can also be obtained by: 1) isolation of double-stranded DNA sequences from the genomic DNA; 2) chemical manufacture of a DNA sequence to provide the necessary codons for the polypeptide of interest; and 3) in vitro synthesis of a double-stranded DNA sequence by reverse transcription of mRNA isolated from a eukaryotic donor cell. In the latter case, a double-stranded DNA complement of mRNA is eventually formed which is generally referred to as cDNA.

[0029] Of the three above-noted methods for developing specific DNA sequences for use in recombinant procedures, the isolation of genomic DNA isolates is the least common. This is especially true when it is desirable to obtain the microbial expression of mammalian polypeptides due to the presence of introns.

[0030] The synthesis of DNA sequences is frequently the method of choice when the entire sequence of amino acid residues of the desired polypeptide product is known. When the entire sequence of amino acid residues of the desired polypeptide is not known, the direct synthesis of DNA sequences is not possible and the method of choice is the synthesis of cDNA sequences. Among the standard procedures for isolating cDNA sequences of interest is the formation of plasmid- or phage-carrying cDNA libraries which are derived from reverse transcription of mRNA which is abundant in donor cells that have a high level of genetic expression. When used in combination with polymerase chain reaction technology, even rare expression products can be cloned. In those cases where significant portions of the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide are known, the production of labeled single or double-stranded DNA or RNA probe sequences duplicating a sequence putatively present in the target cDNA may be employed in DNA/DNA hybridization procedures which are carried out on cloned copies of the cDNA which have been denatured into a single-stranded form (Jay, et al., Nucl. Acid Res., 11:2325, 1983).

[0031] A cDNA expression library, such as lambda gt11, can be screened indirectly for GDF-3 peptides having at least one epitope, using antibodies specific for GDF-3. Such antibodies can be either polyclonally or monoclonally derived and used to detect expression product indicative of the presence of GDF-3 cDNA.

[0032] DNA sequences encoding GDF-3 can be expressed in vitro by DNA transfer into a suitable host cell. “Host cells” are cells in which a vector can be propagated and its DNA expressed. The term also includes any progeny of the subject host cell. It is understood that all progeny may not be identical to the parental cell since there may be mutations that occur during replication. However, such progeny are included when the term “host cell” is used. Methods of stable transfer, meaning that the foreign DNA is continuously maintained in the host, are known in the art.

[0033] In the present invention, the GDF-3 polynucleotide sequences may be inserted into a recombinant expression vector. The term “recombinant expression vector” refers to a plasmid, virus or other vehicle known in the art that has been manipulated by insertion or incorporation of the GDF-3 genetic sequences. Such expression vectors contain a promoter sequence which facilitates the efficient transcription of the inserted genetic sequence of the host. The expression vector typically contains an origin of replication, a promoter, as well as specific genes which allow phenotypic selection of the transformed cells. Vectors suitable for use in the present invention include, but are not limited to the T7-based expression vector for expression in bacteria (Rosenberg, et al., Gene, 56:125, 1987), the pMSXND expression vector for expression in mammalian cells (Lee and Nathans, J. Biol. Chem., 263:3521, 1988) and baculovirus-derived vectors for expression in insect cells. The DNA segment can be present in the vector operably linked to regulatory elements, for example, a promoter (e.g., T7, metallothionein I, or polyhedrin promoters).

[0034] Polynucleotide sequences encoding GDF-3 can be expressed in either prokaryotes or eukaryotes. Hosts can include microbial, yeast, insect and mammalian organisms. Methods of expressing DNA sequences having eukaryotic or viral sequences in prokaryotes are well known in the art. Biologically functional viral and plasmid DNA vectors capable of expression and replication in a host are known in the art. Such vectors are used to incorporate DNA sequences of the invention.

[0035] Transformation of a host cell with recombinant DNA may be carried out by conventional techniques as are well known to those skilled in the art. Where the host is prokaryotic, such as E. coli, competent cells which are capable of DNA uptake can be prepared from cells harvested after exponential growth phase and subsequently treated by the CaCl₂ method using procedures well known in the art. Alternatively, MgCl₂ or RbCl can be used. Transformation can also be performed after forming a protoplast of the host cell if desired.

[0036] When the host is a eukaryote, such methods of transfection of DNA as calcium phosphate co-precipitates, conventional mechanical procedures such as microinjection, electroporation, insertion of a plasmid encased in liposomes, or virus vectors may be used. Eukaryotic cells can also be cotransformed with DNA sequences encoding the GDF-3 of the invention, and a second foreign DNA molecule encoding a selectable phenotype, such as the herpes simplex thymidine kinase gene. Another method is to use a eukaryotic viral vector, such as simian virus 40 (SV40) or bovine papilloma virus, to transiently infect or transform eukaryotic cells and express the protein. (see for example, Eukaryotic Viral Vectors, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Gluzman ed., 1982).

[0037] Isolation and purification of microbial expressed polypeptide, or fragments thereof, provided by the invention, may be carried out by conventional means including preparative chromatography and immunological separations involving monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies.

[0038] The invention includes antibodies immunoreactive with GDF-3 polypeptide or functional fragments thereof. Antibody which consists essentially of pooled monoclonal antibodies with different epitopic specificities, as well as distinct monoclonal antibody preparations are provided. Monoclonal antibodies are made from antigen containing fragments of the protein by methods well known to those skilled in the art (Kohler, et al., Nature, 256:495, 1975). The term antibody as used in this invention is meant to include intact molecules as well as fragments thereof, such as Fab and F(ab′)₂, which are capable of binding an epitopic determinant on GDF-3.

[0039] The term “cell-proliferative disorder” denotes malignant as well as non-malignant cell populations which often appear to differ from the surrounding tissue both morphologically and genotypically. The GDF-3 polynucleotide that is an antisense molecule is useful in treating malignancies of the various organ systems, particularly, for example, cells in the bone marrow, spleen, thymus or adipose tissue. Essentially, any disorder which is etiologically linked to altered expression of GDF-3 could be considered susceptible to treatment with a GDF-3 suppressing reagent. One such disorder of associated with bone marrow-derived cells is leukemia, for example. The term “immunologic disorder”, refers to a disorder involving cells of the immune system, for example lymphocytes. Such immunologic disorders include disorders associated with the inflammatory process for example. The immunologic disorder is not limited to an immunologic cell proliferative disorder. The invention provides a method for detecting a cell proliferative or immunologic disorder of the bone marrow, spleen, thymus or adipose tissue which comprises contacting an anti-GDF-3 antibody with a cell suspected of having a GDF-3 associated disorder and detecting binding to the antibody. The antibody reactive with GDF-3 is labeled with a compound which allows detection of binding to GDF-3. For purposes of the invention, an antibody specific for GDF-3 polypeptide may be used to detect the level of GDF-3 in biological fluids and tissues. Any specimen containing a detectable amount of antigen can be used. A preferred sample of this invention is tissue of bone marrow origin, specifically tissue containing hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells. The level of GDF-3 in the suspect cell can be compared with the level in a normal cell to determine whether the subject has a GDF-3-associated cell proliferative or immunologic disorder. Preferably the subject is human.

[0040] The antibodies of the invention can be used in any subject in which it is desirable to administer in vitro or in vivo immunodiagnosis or immunotherapy. The antibodies of the invention are suited for use, for example, in immunoassays in which they can be utilized in liquid phase or bound to a solid phase carrier. In addition, the antibodies in these immunoassays can be detectably labeled in various ways. Examples of types of immunoassays which can utilize antibodies of the invention are competitive and non-competitive immunoassays in either a direct or indirect format. Examples of such immunoassays are the radioimmunoassay (RIA) and the sandwich (immunometric) assay. Detection of the antigens using the antibodies of the invention can be done utilizing immunoassays which are run in either the forward, reverse, or simultaneous modes, including immunohistochemical assays on physiological samples. Those of skill in the art will know, or can readily discern, other immunoassay formats without undue experimentation.

[0041] The antibodies of the invention can be bound to many different carriers and used to detect the presence of an antigen comprising the polypeptide of the invention. Examples of well-known carriers include glass, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, dextran, nylon, amylases, natural and modified celluloses, polyacrylamides, agaroses and magnetite. The nature of the carrier can be either soluble or insoluble for purposes of the invention. Those skilled in the art will know of other suitable carriers for binding antibodies, or will be able to ascertain such, using routine experimentation.

[0042] There are many different labels and methods of labeling known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Examples of the types of labels which can be used in the present invention include enzymes, radioisotopes, fluorescent compounds, colloidal metals, chemiluminescent compounds, phosphorescent compounds, and bioluminescent compounds. Those of ordinary skill in the art will know of other suitable labels for binding to the antibody, or will be able to ascertain such, using routine experimentation.

[0043] Another technique which may also result in greater sensitivity consists of coupling the antibodies to low molecular weight haptens. These haptens can then be specifically detected by means of a second reaction. For example, it is common to use such haptens as biotin, which reacts with avidin, or dinitrophenyl, puridoxal, and fluorescein, which can react with specific anti-hapten antibodies.

[0044] In using the monoclonal antibodies of the invention for the in vivo detection of antigen, the detectably labeled antibody is given a dose which is diagnostically effective. The term “diagnostically effective” means that the amount of detectably labeled monoclonal antibody is administered in sufficient quantity to enable detection of the site having the antigen comprising a polypeptide of the invention for which the monoclonal antibodies are specific.

[0045] The concentration of detectably labeled monoclonal antibody which is administered should be sufficient such that the binding to those cells having the polypeptide is detectable compared to the background. Further, it is desirable that the detectably labeled monoclonal antibody be rapidly cleared from the circulatory system in order to give the best target-to-background signal ratio.

[0046] As a rule, the dosage of detectably labeled monoclonal antibody for in vivo diagnosis will vary depending on such factors as age, sex, and extent of disease of the individual. Such dosages may vary, for example, depending on whether multiple injections are given, antigenic burden, and other factors known to those of skill in the art.

[0047] For in vivo diagnostic imaging, the type of detection instrument available is a major factor in selecting a given radioisotope. The radioisotope chosen must have a type of decay which is detectable for a given type of instrument. Still another important factor in selecting a radioisotope for in vivo diagnosis is that deleterious radiation with respect to the host is minimized. Ideally, a radio-isotope used for in vivo imaging will lack a particle emission, but produce a large number of photons in the 140-250 keV range, which may readily be detected by conventional gamma cameras.

[0048] For in vivo diagnosis radioisotopes may be bound to immunoglobulin either directly or indirectly by using an intermediate functional group. Intermediate functional groups which often are used to bind radioisotopes which exist as metallic ions to immunoglobulins are the bifunctional chelating agents such as diethylenetriaminepentacetic acid (DTPA) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and similar molecules Typical examples of metallic ions which can be bound to the monoclonal antibodies of the invention are ¹¹¹In, ⁹⁷Ru, ⁶⁷Ga, ⁶⁸Ga, ⁷²As, ⁸⁹Zr, and ²⁰¹Tl.

[0049] The monoclonal antibodies of the invention can also be labeled with a paramagnetic isotope for purposes of in vivo diagnosis, as in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or electron spin resonance (ESR). In general, any conventional method for visualizing diagnostic imaging can be utilized. Usually gamma and positron emitting radioisotopes are used for camera imaging and paramagnetic isotopes for MRI. Elements which are particularly useful in such techniques include ¹⁵⁷Gd, ⁵⁵Mn, ¹⁶²Dy, ⁵²Cr, and ⁵⁶Fe.

[0050] The monoclonal antibodies of the invention can be used in vitro and in vivo to monitor the course of amelioration of a GDF-3-associated disease in a subject. Thus, for example, by measuring the increase or decrease in the number of cells expressing antigen comprising a polypeptide of the invention or changes in the concentration of such antigen present in various body fluids, it would be possible to determine whether a particular therapeutic regimen aimed at ameliorating the GDF-3-associated disease is effective. The term “ameliorate” denotes a lessening of the detrimental effect of the GDF-3-associated disease in the subject receiving therapy.

[0051] The present invention identifies a nucleotide sequence that can be expressed in an altered manner as compared to expression in a normal cell, therefore it is possible to design appropriate therapeutic or diagnostic techniques directed to this sequence. Thus, where a cell-proliferative or immunologic disorder is associated with the expression of GDF-3, nucleic acid sequences that interfere with GDF-3 expression at the translational level can be used. This approach utilizes, for example, antisense nucleic acid and ribozymes to block translation of a specific GDF-3 mRNA, either by masking that mRNA with an antisense nucleic acid or by cleaving it with a ribozyme.

[0052] Antisense nucleic acids are DNA or RNA molecules that are complementary to at least a portion of a specific mRNA molecule (Weintraub, Scientific American, 262:40, 1990). In the cell, the antisense nucleic acids hybridize to the corresponding mRNA, forming a double-stranded molecule. The antisense nucleic acids interfere with the translation of the mRNA, since the cell will not translate a mRNA that is double-stranded. Antisense oligomers of about 15 nucleotides are preferred, since they are easily synthesized and are less likely to cause problems than larger molecules when introduced into the target GDF-3-producing cell. The use of antisense methods to inhibit the in vitro translation of genes is well known in the art (Marcus-Sakura, Anal. Biochem., 172:289, 1988).

[0053] Ribozymes are RNA molecules possessing the ability to specifically cleave other single-stranded RNA in a manner analogous to DNA restriction endonucleases. Through the modification of nucleotide sequences which encode these RNAs, it is possible to engineer molecules that recognize specific nucleotide sequences in an RNA molecule and cleave it (Cech, J. Amer. Med. Assn., 260:3030, 1988). A major advantage of this approach is that, because they are sequence-specific, only mRNAs with particular sequences are inactivated.

[0054] There are two basic types of ribozymes namely, tetrahymena-type (Hasselhoff, Nature, 334:585, 1988) and “hammerhead”-type. Tetrahymena-type ribozymes recognize sequences which are four bases in length, while “hammerhead”-type ribozymes recognize base sequences 11-18 bases in length. The longer the recognition sequence, the greater the likelihood that the sequence will occur exclusively in the target mRNA species. Consequently, hammerhead-type ribozymes are preferable to tetrahymena-type ribozymes for inactivating a specific mRNA species and 18-based recognition sequences are preferable to shorter recognition sequences.

[0055] The present invention also provides gene therapy for the treatment of cell proliferative or immunologic disorders which are mediated by GDF-3 protein. Such therapy would achieve its therapeutic effect by introduction of the GDF-3 antisense polynucleotide into cells having the proliferative disorder. Delivery of antisense GDF-3 polynucleotide can be achieved using a recombinant expression vector such as a chimeric virus or a colloidal dispersion system. Especially preferred for therapeutic delivery of antisense sequences is the use of targeted liposomes.

[0056] Various viral vectors which can be utilized for gene therapy as taught herein include adenovirus, herpes virus, vaccinia, or, preferably, an RNA virus such as a retrovirus. Preferably, the retroviral vector is a derivative of a murine or avian retrovirus. Examples of retroviral vectors in which a single foreign gene can be inserted include, but are not limited to: Moloney murine leukemia virus (MoMuLV), Harvey murine sarcoma virus (HaMuSV), murine mammary tumor virus (MuMTV), and Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV). A number of additional retroviral vectors can incorporate multiple genes. All of these vectors can transfer or incorporate a gene for a selectable marker so that transduced cells can be identified and generated. By inserting a GDF-3 sequence of interest into the viral vector, along with another gene which encodes the ligand for a receptor on a specific target cell, for example, the vector is now target specific. Retroviral vectors can be made target specific by inserting, for example, a polynucleotide encoding a sugar, a glycolipid, or a protein. Preferred targeting is accomplished by using an antibody to target the retroviral vector. Those of skill in the art will know of, or can readily ascertain without undue experimentation, specific polynucleotide sequences which can be inserted into the retroviral genome to allow target specific delivery of the retroviral vector containing the GDF-3 antisense polynucleotide.

[0057] Since recombinant retroviruses are defective, they require assistance in order to produce infectious vector particles. This assistance can be provided, for example, by using helper cell lines that contain plasmids encoding all of the structural genes of the retrovirus under the control of regulatory sequences within the LTR. These plasmids are missing a nucleotide sequence which enables the packaging mechanism to recognize an RNA transcript for encapsidation. Helper cell lines which have deletions of the packaging signal include, but are not limited to Ψ2, PA317 and PA12, for example. These cell lines produce empty virions, since no genome is packaged. If a retroviral vector is introduced into such cells in which the packaging signal is intact, but the structural genes are replaced by other genes of interest, the vector can be packaged and vector virion produced.

[0058] Alternatively, NIH 3T3 or other tissue culture cells can be directly transfected with plasmids encoding the retroviral structural genes gag, pol and env, by conventional calcium phosphate transfection. These cells are then transfected with the vector plasmid containing the genes of interest. The resulting cells release the retroviral vector into the culture medium.

[0059] Another targeted delivery system for GDF-3 antisense polynucleotides is a colloidal dispersion system. Colloidal dispersion systems include macromolecule complexes, nanocapsules, microspheres, beads, and lipid-based systems including oil-in-water emulsions, micelles, mixed micelles, and liposomes. The preferred colloidal system of this invention is a liposome. Liposomes are artificial membrane vesicles which are useful as delivery vehicles in vitro and in vivo. It has been shown that large unilamellar vesicles (LUV), which range in size from 0.2-4.0 μm can encapsulate a substantial percentage of an aqueous buffer containing large macromolecules. RNA, DNA and intact virions can be encapsulated within the aqueous interior and be delivered to cells in a biologically active form (Fraley, et al., Trends Biochem. Sci., 6:77, 1981). In addition to mammalian cells, liposomes have been used for delivery of polynucleotides in plant, yeast and bacterial cells. In order for a liposome to be an efficient gene transfer vehicle, the following characteristics should be present: (1) encapsulation of the genes of interest at high efficiency while not compromising their biological activity; (2) preferential and substantial binding to a target cell in comparison to non-target cells; (3) delivery of the aqueous contents of the vesicle to the target cell cytoplasm at high efficiency; and (4) accurate and effective expression of genetic information (Mannino, et al., Biotechniques, 6:682, 1988).

[0060] The composition of the liposome is usually a combination of phospholipids, particularly high-phase-transition-temperature phospholipids, usually in combination with steroids, especially cholesterol. Other phospholipids or other lipids may also be used. The physical characteristics of liposomes depend on pH, ionic strength, and the presence of divalent cations.

[0061] Examples of lipids useful in liposome production include phosphatidyl compounds, such as phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethanolamine, sphingolipids, cerebrosides, and gangliosides. Particularly useful are diacylphosphatidylglycerols, where the lipid moiety contains from 14-18 carbon atoms, particularly from 16-18 carbon atoms, and is saturated. Illustrative phospholipids include egg phosphatidylcholine, dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine and distearoylphosphatidylcholine.

[0062] The targeting of liposomes can be classified based on anatomical and mechanistic factors. Anatomical classification is based on the level of selectivity, for example, organ-specific, cell-specific, and organelle-specific. Mechanistic targeting can be distinguished based upon whether it is passive or active. Passive targeting utilizes the natural tendency of liposomes to distribute to cells of the reticulo-endothelial system (RES) in organs which contain sinusoidal capillaries. Active targeting, on the other hand, involves alteration of the liposome by coupling the liposome to a specific ligand such as a monoclonal antibody, sugar, glycolipid, or protein, or by changing the composition or size of the liposome in order to achieve targeting to organs and cell types other than the naturally occurring sites of localization.

[0063] The surface of the targeted delivery system may be modified in a variety of ways. In the case of a liposomal targeted delivery system, lipid groups can be incorporated into the lipid bilayer of the liposome in order to maintain the targeting ligand in stable association with the liposomal bilayer. Various linking groups can be used for joining the lipid chains to the targeting ligand.

[0064] Due to the expression of GDF-3 in the bone marrow, spleen, thymus and adipose tissue, there are a variety of applications using the polypeptide, polynucleotide and antibodies of the invention, related to these tissues. GDF-3 could play a role in regulation of the hematopoiesis and therefore could be useful in various transplantation procedures. In addition to applications for tissue transplantation, applications include treatment of cell proliferative and immunologic disorders.

[0065] The following examples are intended to illustrate but not limit the invention. While they are typical of those that might be used, other procedures known to those skilled in the art may alternatively be used.

EXAMPLE 1 IDENTIFICATION AND ISOLATION OF A NOVEL TGF-β FAMILY MEMBER

[0066] To identify a new member of the TGF-β superfamily, degenerate oligonucleotides were designed which corresponded to two conserved regions among the known family members: one region spanning the two tryptophan residues conserved in all family members except MIS and the other region spanning the invariant cysteine residues near the C-terminus. These primers were used for polymerase chain reactions on mouse genomic DNA followed by subcloning the PCR products using restriction sites placed at the 5′ ends of the primers, picking individual E. coli colonies carrying these subcloned inserts, and using a combination of random sequencing and hybridization analysis to eliminate known members of the superfamily.

[0067] GDF-3 was identified from a mixture of PCR products obtained with the primers SJL120: 5′-CCGGAATTCGA(A/G)GTIGGITGGCA(T/C)(A/C)GITGGG TIATIGCICC-3′ and SJL121: 5′-CCGGAATTC(G/A)CAICC(G/A)CA(T/C)TC(G/A)TCIACIACC AT(G/A)TC(T/C)TC(G/A)TA-3′.

[0068] PCR using these primers was carried out with 2 μg mouse genomic DNA at 94° C. for 1 min, 42° C. for 2 min, and 72° C. for 3.5 min for 40 cycles.

[0069] PCR products of approximately 280 bp were gel-purified, digested with Eco RI, gel-purified again, and subcloned in the Bluescript vector (Stratagene, San Diego, Calif.). Bacterial colonies carrying individual subclones were picked into 96 well microtiter plates, and multiple replicas were prepared by plating the cells onto nitrocellulose. The replicate filters were hybridized to probes representing known members of the family, and DNA was prepared from non-hybridizing colonies for sequence analysis.

[0070] The primer combination of SJL120 and SJL121, encoding the amino acid sequences EVGWH(R/S)WV(I/M)AP and YEDMVVDECGC respectively yielded one previously identified sequence GDF-1 and two novel sequences, one of which was designated GDF-3, among 80 subclones analyzed.

[0071] RNA isolation and Northern analysis were carried out as described previously (Lee, S. J., Mol. Endocrinol., 4:1034,1990) except that hybridization was carried out in 5×SSPE, 10% dextran sulfate, 50% formamide, 1% SDS, 200 μg/ml salmon DNA and 0.1% each of bovine serum albumin, ficoll, and polyvinylpyrrolidone. An oligo dT-primed cDNA library was prepared from 2.5 μg of bone marrow poly A-selected RNA in the lambda ZAP II vector according to the instructions provided by Stratagene. The library was amplified once prior to screening. Filters were hybridized as described previously (Lee, S. J., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA., 88:4250-4254, 1991). DNA sequencing of both strands was carried out using the dideoxy chain termination method (Sanger, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA, 74:5463-5467, 1977) and a combination of the S1nuclease/exonuclease III strategy (Henikoff, S., Gene, 28:351-359, 1984) and synthetic oligonucleotide primers.

EXAMPLE 2 EXPRESSION PATTERN AND SEQUENCE OF GDF-3

[0072] To determine the expression pattern of GDF-3, RNA samples prepared from a variety of adult tissues were screened by Northern analysis. Five micrograms of twice polyA-selected RNA prepared from each tissue were electrophoresed on formaldehyde gels, blotted and probed with GDF-3. As shown in FIG. 1, the GDF-3 probe detected a 1.3 kb mRNA expressed in thymus, spleen, bone marrow and adipose tissue.

[0073] A bone marrow cDNA library consisting of 1.8×10⁶ recombinant phage was constructed in lambda ZAP II and screened with a probe derived from the GDF-3 PCR product. The entire nucleotide sequence of the longest hybridizing clone is shown in FIG. 2. Consensus N-glycosylation signals are denoted by plain boxes. The putative tetrabasic processing sites are denoted by stippled boxes. The in-frame termination codons upstream of the putative initiating ATG and the consensus polyadenylation signals are underlined. The poly A tails are not shown. Numbers indicate nucleotide position relative to the 5′ end. The 1280 bp sequence contains a long open reading frame beginning with a methionine codon at nucleotide 122 and potentially encoding a protein 366 amino acids in length with a molecular weight of 41.5 kD. Upstream of the putative initiating methionine is an in-frame termination codon beginning at nucleotide 77. The predicted GDF-3 amino acid sequence contains a hydrophobic N-terminal region, suggestive of a signal sequence for secretion, two potential N-linked glycosylation sites at asparagine residues 113 and 308, and a putative tetrabasic proteolytic processing site (RKRR) at amino acids 249-252. Cleavage of the GDF-3 precursor at this site would generate a mature GDF-3 protein 114 amino acids in length with a predicted unglycosylated molecular weight of 13.0 kD.

[0074] The C-terminal region of GDF-3 following the putative proteolytic processing site shows significant homology to the known members of the TGF-β superfamily (FIG. 3). FIG. 3 shows the alignment of the C-terminal sequences of GDF-3 with the corresponding regions of human GDF-1 (Lee, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 88:4250-4254, 1991), Xenopus Vg-1 (Weeks, et al., Cell, 51:861-867, 1987), human Vgr-1 (Celeste, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 87:9843-9847, 1990), human OP-1 (Ozkaynak, et al., EMBO J., 9:2085-2093, 1990), human BMP-5 (Celeste, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 87:9843-9847, 1990), Drosophila 60A (Wharton, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 88:9214-9218, 1991), human BMP-2 and 4 (Wozney, et al., Science, 242:1528-1534, 1988), Drosophila DPP (Padgett, et al, Nature, 325:81-84, 1987), human BMP-3 (Wozney, et al., Science, 242:1528-1534, 1988), human MIS (Cate, et al., Cell, 45:685-698, 1986), human inhibin alpha, βA, and βB (Mason, et al., Biochem, Biophys. Res. Commun., 135:957-964, 1986), human TGF-β1 (Derynck, et al., Nature, 316:701-705, 1985), human TGF-β2 (deMartin, et al., EMBO J., 6:3673-3677, 1987), human TGF-β3 (ten Dijke, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 85:4715-4719, 1988), chicken TGF-β64 (Jakowlew, et al., Mol. Endocrinol., 2:1186-1195, 1988). and Xenopus TGF-β5 (Kondaiah, et al., J. Biol. Chem., 265:1089-1093, 1990). The conserved cysteine residues are shaded. Dashes denote gaps introduced in order to maximize the alignment.

[0075]FIG. 4 shows the amino acid homologies among the different members of the TGF-β superfamily. Numbers represent percent amino acid identities between each pair calculated from the first conserved cysteine to the C-terminus. Boxes represent homologies among highly-related members within particular subgroups.

[0076] GDF-3 lacks the fourth cysteine residue of the seven cysteines that are conserved in every other family member. This cysteine residue is known in the case of TGF-β2 to be the only cysteine involved in intermolecular disulfide bond formation in the mature dimer (Daopin, et al., Science, 257:369, 1992; Schlunegger and Grutter, Nature, 358:430, 1992). Therefore, GDF-3 may not form dimers or may form non-covalently-linked dimers in which the interaction between the subunits may be dynamic and subject to regulation. The GDF-3 sequence contains an additional cysteine residue four amino acids upstream of the first conserved cysteine. The only family members known to contain additional cysteine residues are the TGF-βs and inhibin βs, each of which contain two additional cysteine residues. In the case of TGF-β2, these additional cysteine residues are known to form an intramolecular disulfide bond (Daopin, supra). Because GDF-3 contains only a single additional cysteine residue, GDF-3 appears to be the only family member containing an unpaired cysteine. Alternatively, it is conceivable that GDF-3 does form a disulfide-linked dimer, either as a homodimer or as a heterodimer with another family member, and that this additional cysteine is involved in forming the intermolecular disulfide bond. Indeed, if the overall structure of GDF-3 is similar to that of TGF-β2, the location of this extra cysteine in the “thumb” of the “hand” (Daopin, supra) would be consistent with such a role.

EXAMPLE 3 ISOLATION OF HUMAN GDF-3

[0077] Using the same primer pair described in Example 1 (primers SJL 120 and 121) with human genomic DNA, a PCR product was obtained that showed significant homology (approximately 82% amino acid identity) to GDF-3 (FIG. 5). Southern analysis of mouse and human genomic DNA was carried out in 0.9 M sodium chloride, 50 mM sodium phosphate (pH 7.0), 10 mM EDTA, 10% dextran sulfate, 50% formamide, 1% SDS, 200 μg/ml salmon testis DNA and 0.1% each of bovine serum albumin, ficoll, and polyvinylpyrrolidone at 37° C. As shown in FIG. 6, the same pattern of hybridizing bands was obtained whether the probe was derived from the mouse GDF-3 sequence or from the highly related human sequence. Therefore the data show that the human sequence shown in FIG. 5 is the human GDF-3.

[0078] Although the invention has been described with reference to the presently preferred embodiment, it should be understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is limited only by the following claims.

SUMMARY OF SEQUENCES

[0079] SEQUENCE ID NO 1 is the nucleotide sequence of PCR primer, SJL120, for GDF-3.

[0080] SEQUENCE ID NO 2 is the nucleotide sequence of PCR primer, SJL121, for GDF-3.

[0081] SEQUENCE ID No 3 is the amino acid sequence encoded by primer SJL120.

[0082] SEQUENCE ID NO 4 is the amino acid sequence encoded by primer SJL121.

[0083] SEQUENCE ID NO 5 is the nucleotide sequence and deduced amino acid sequence for murine GDF-3.

[0084] SEQUENCE ID NO 6 is the deduced amino acid sequence for murine GDF-3.

[0085] SEQUENCE ID NO 7 is the amino acid sequence of the C-terminal region of GDF-3.

[0086] SEQUENCE ID NO 8 is the amino acid sequence of the C-terminal region of GDF-9.

[0087] SEQUENCE ID NO 9 is the amino acid sequence of the C-terminal region of GDF-1.

[0088] SEQUENCE ID NO 10 is the amino acid sequence of the C-terminal region of Vg-1.

[0089] SEQUENCE ID NO 11 is the amino acid sequence of the C-terminal region of Vgr-1.

[0090] SEQUENCE ID NO 12 is the amino acid sequence of the C-terminal region of OP-1.

[0091] SEQUENCE ID NO 13 is the amino acid sequence of the C-terminal region of BMP-5.

[0092] SEQUENCE ID NO 14 is the amino acid sequence of the C-terminal region of 60A.

[0093] SEQUENCE ID NO 15 is the amino acid sequence of the C-terminal region of BMP-2.

[0094] SEQUENCE ID NO 16 is the amino acid sequence of the C-terminal region of BMP-4.

[0095] SEQUENCE ID NO 17 is the amino acid sequence of the C-terminal region of DPP.

[0096] SEQUENCE ID NO 18 is the amino acid sequence of the C-terminal region of BMP-3.

[0097] SEQUENCE ID NO 19 is the amino acid sequence of the C-terminal region of MIS.

[0098] SEQUENCE ID NO 20 is the amino acid sequence of the C-terminal region of Inhibin-α.

[0099] SEQUENCE ID NO 21 is the amino acid sequence of the C-terminal region of Inhibin-βA.

[0100] SEQUENCE ID NO 22 is the amino acid sequence of the C-terminal region of Inhibin-62 B.

[0101] SEQUENCE ID NO 23 is the amino acid sequence of the C-terminal region of TGF-β1.

[0102] SEQUENCE ID NO 24 is the amino acid sequence of the C-terminal region of TGF-β2.

[0103] SEQUENCE ID NO 25 is the amino acid sequence of the C-terminal region of TGF-β3.

[0104] SEQUENCE ID NO 26 is the amino acid sequence of the C-terminal region of TGF-β4.

[0105] SEQUENCE ID NO 27 is the amino acid sequence of the C-terminal region of TGF-β5.

[0106] SEQUENCE ID NO 28 is the nucleotide sequence of human GDF-3.

[0107] SEQUENCE ID NO 29 is the deduced amino acid sequence of human GDF-3.

1 29 41 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA (genomic) SJL120 CDS 1..41 /note= “Where ”R“ Occurs, R = Adenine or Guanine; N = Inosine; Y = Thymine or Cytosine; M = Adenine or Cytosine.” 1 CCGGAATTCG ARGTNGGNTG GCAYMGNTGG GTNATNGCNC C 41 42 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA (genomic) SJL121 CDS 1..42 /note= “WHERE ”R“ OCCURS, R = GUANINE OR ADENINE; WHERE ”N“ OCCURS, N = INOSINE; WHERE ”Y“ OCCURS, Y = THYMINE OR CYTOSINE.” 2 CCGGAATTCR CANCCRCAYT CRTCNACNAC CATRTCYTCR TA 42 11 amino acids amino acid single linear peptide SJL120 Peptide 1..11 /note= “Where ”Arg“ Occurs, Arg = Arg or Ser; Where ”Ile“ occurs, Ile = Ile or Met.” 3 Glu Val Gly Trp His Arg Trp Val Ile Ala Pro 1 5 10 11 amino acids amino acid single linear peptide SJL121 Peptide 1..11 4 Tyr Glu Asp Met Val Val Asp Glu Cys Gly Cys 1 5 10 1280 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA (genomic) GDF-3 CDS 122..1219 5 TGAGGGGCTG AGAAGAGAGC AATTCACACT TGATTAGCTC CCAGGCTCCT GAATTGAGCA 60 GAGGAGGCTA GACCGCTGAG CTGCGCACCC CAGAGGCTGC TCTACCCTGG CTCAGACGA 120 C ATG CAG CCT TAT CAA CGG CTT CTG GCG CTT GGC TTC CTT CTG TTA 166 Met Gln Pro Tyr Gln Arg Leu Leu Ala Leu Gly Phe Leu Leu Leu 1 5 10 15 ACC CTG CCC TGG GGC CAG ACA TCC GAG TTT CAA GAC TCT GAC CTT TTG 214 Thr Leu Pro Trp Gly Gln Thr Ser Glu Phe Gln Asp Ser Asp Leu Leu 20 25 30 CAG TTT CTG GGA TTA GAG AAA GCG CCT TCA CCT CAC AGG TTC CAA CCT 262 Gln Phe Leu Gly Leu Glu Lys Ala Pro Ser Pro His Arg Phe Gln Pro 35 40 45 GTG CCT CGC GTC TTA AGG AAA ATC ATC CGG GCT CGA GAA GCC GCT GCA 310 Val Pro Arg Val Leu Arg Lys Ile Ile Arg Ala Arg Glu Ala Ala Ala 50 55 60 GCC AGT GGG GCC TCG CAG GAC TTA TGC TAC GTG AAG GAG CTG GGT GTT 358 Ala Ser Gly Ala Ser Gln Asp Leu Cys Tyr Val Lys Glu Leu Gly Val 65 70 75 CGT GGG AAC CTG CTT CAG CTT CTC CCA GAC CAG GGT TTT TTC CTT AAT 406 Arg Gly Asn Leu Leu Gln Leu Leu Pro Asp Gln Gly Phe Phe Leu Asn 80 85 90 95 ACA CAG AAA CCT TTC CAA GAT GGC TCC TGT CTC CAG AAG GTC CTC TAT 454 Thr Gln Lys Pro Phe Gln Asp Gly Ser Cys Leu Gln Lys Val Leu Tyr 100 105 110 TTT AAC TTG TCT GCC ATC AAA GAA AAG GCA AAG TTG ACC ATG GCC CAG 502 Phe Asn Leu Ser Ala Ile Lys Glu Lys Ala Lys Leu Thr Met Ala Gln 115 120 125 CTG ACT CTA GAC TTG GGG CCC AGG TCC TAC TAT AAC CTG CGA CCA GAG 550 Leu Thr Leu Asp Leu Gly Pro Arg Ser Tyr Tyr Asn Leu Arg Pro Glu 130 135 140 CTG GTG GTT GCT CTG TCT GTG GTT CAG GAC CGG GGC GTG TGG GGG CGA 598 Leu Val Val Ala Leu Ser Val Val Gln Asp Arg Gly Val Trp Gly Arg 145 150 155 TCC CAC CCT AAG GTG GGC AGA TTG CTT TTT CTG CGG TCT GTC CCT GGG 646 Ser His Pro Lys Val Gly Arg Leu Leu Phe Leu Arg Ser Val Pro Gly 160 165 170 175 CCT CAA GGT CAG CTC CAG TTC AAC CTG CAG GGT GCG CTT AAG GAT TGG 694 Pro Gln Gly Gln Leu Gln Phe Asn Leu Gln Gly Ala Leu Lys Asp Trp 180 185 190 AGC AGC AAC CGA CTG AAG AAT TTG GAC TTA CAC TTA GAG ATT TTG GTC 742 Ser Ser Asn Arg Leu Lys Asn Leu Asp Leu His Leu Glu Ile Leu Val 195 200 205 AAA GAG GAC AGA TAC TCC AGG GTA ACT GTC CAG CCC GAG AAC CCC TGT 790 Lys Glu Asp Arg Tyr Ser Arg Val Thr Val Gln Pro Glu Asn Pro Cys 210 215 220 GAC CCG CTG CTC CGC TCT CTA CAT GCC TCG CTG CTG GTG GTA ACC CTC 838 Asp Pro Leu Leu Arg Ser Leu His Ala Ser Leu Leu Val Val Thr Leu 225 230 235 AAT CCT AAA CAC TGT CAT CCT TCT TCC AGA AAA AGG AGG GCG GCC ATC 886 Asn Pro Lys His Cys His Pro Ser Ser Arg Lys Arg Arg Ala Ala Ile 240 245 250 255 TCT GTC CCC AAG GGT TTC TGT AGG AAC TTC TGC CAC CGT CAT CAG CTG 934 Ser Val Pro Lys Gly Phe Cys Arg Asn Phe Cys His Arg His Gln Leu 260 265 270 TTC ATC AAC TTC CAG GAC CTG GGT TGG CAC AAG TGG GTC ATC GCC CCT 982 Phe Ile Asn Phe Gln Asp Leu Gly Trp His Lys Trp Val Ile Ala Pro 275 280 285 AAG GGG TTC ATG GCA AAT TAC TGT CAT GGA GAG TGC CCC TTC TCA ATG 1030 Lys Gly Phe Met Ala Asn Tyr Cys His Gly Glu Cys Pro Phe Ser Met 290 295 300 ACC ACG TAT TTA AAT AGT TCC AAT TAT GCT TTC ATG CAG GCT CTG ATG 1078 Thr Thr Tyr Leu Asn Ser Ser Asn Tyr Ala Phe Met Gln Ala Leu Met 305 310 315 CAT ATG GCT GAC CCC AAG GTC CCC AAG GCT GTC TGT GTC CCC ACC AAG 1126 His Met Ala Asp Pro Lys Val Pro Lys Ala Val Cys Val Pro Thr Lys 320 325 330 335 CTC TCG CCC ATC TCC ATG CTC TAT CAG GAT AGT GAT AAG AAC GTC ATT1174 Leu Ser Pro Ile Ser Met Leu Tyr Gln Asp Ser Asp Lys Asn Val Ile 340 345 350 CTC CGA CAT TAT GAA GAC ATG GTA GTC GAT GAG TGT GGG TGT GGG 1219 Leu Arg His Tyr Glu Asp Met Val Val Asp Glu Cys Gly Cys Gly 355 360 365 TAGTCTCGGG ACTAGGCTAG GAGTGTGCTT AGGGTAAATC CTTTAATAAA ACTACCAC 1279 C 1280 366 amino acids amino acid linear protein 6 Met Gln Pro Tyr Gln Arg Leu Leu Ala Leu Gly Phe Leu Leu Leu Thr 1 5 10 15 Leu Pro Trp Gly Gln Thr Ser Glu Phe Gln Asp Ser Asp Leu Leu Gln 20 25 30 Phe Leu Gly Leu Glu Lys Ala Pro Ser Pro His Arg Phe Gln Pro Val 35 40 45 Pro Arg Val Leu Arg Lys Ile Ile Arg Ala Arg Glu Ala Ala Ala Ala 50 55 60 Ser Gly Ala Ser Gln Asp Leu Cys Tyr Val Lys Glu Leu Gly Val Arg 65 70 75 80 Gly Asn Leu Leu Gln Leu Leu Pro Asp Gln Gly Phe Phe Leu Asn Thr 85 90 95 Gln Lys Pro Phe Gln Asp Gly Ser Cys Leu Gln Lys Val Leu Tyr Phe 100 105 110 Asn Leu Ser Ala Ile Lys Glu Lys Ala Lys Leu Thr Met Ala Gln Leu 115 120 125 Thr Leu Asp Leu Gly Pro Arg Ser Tyr Tyr Asn Leu Arg Pro Glu Leu 130 135 140 Val Val Ala Leu Ser Val Val Gln Asp Arg Gly Val Trp Gly Arg Ser 145 150 155 160 His Pro Lys Val Gly Arg Leu Leu Phe Leu Arg Ser Val Pro Gly Pro 165 170 175 Gln Gly Gln Leu Gln Phe Asn Leu Gln Gly Ala Leu Lys Asp Trp Ser 180 185 190 Ser Asn Arg Leu Lys Asn Leu Asp Leu His Leu Glu Ile Leu Val Lys 195 200 205 Glu Asp Arg Tyr Ser Arg Val Thr Val Gln Pro Glu Asn Pro Cys Asp 210 215 220 Pro Leu Leu Arg Ser Leu His Ala Ser Leu Leu Val Val Thr Leu Asn 225 230 235 240 Pro Lys His Cys His Pro Ser Ser Arg Lys Arg Arg Ala Ala Ile Ser 245 250 255 Val Pro Lys Gly Phe Cys Arg Asn Phe Cys His Arg His Gln Leu Phe 260 265 270 Ile Asn Phe Gln Asp Leu Gly Trp His Lys Trp Val Ile Ala Pro Lys 275 280 285 Gly Phe Met Ala Asn Tyr Cys His Gly Glu Cys Pro Phe Ser Met Thr 290 295 300 Thr Tyr Leu Asn Ser Ser Asn Tyr Ala Phe Met Gln Ala Leu Met His 305 310 315 320 Met Ala Asp Pro Lys Val Pro Lys Ala Val Cys Val Pro Thr Lys Leu 325 330 335 Ser Pro Ile Ser Met Leu Tyr Gln Asp Ser Asp Lys Asn Val Ile Leu 340 345 350 Arg His Tyr Glu Asp Met Val Val Asp Glu Cys Gly Cys Gly 355 360 365 117 amino acids amino acid single linear protein GDF-3 Protein 1..117 7 Lys Arg Arg Ala Ala Ile Ser Val Pro Lys Gly Phe Cys Arg Asn Phe 1 5 10 15 Cys His Arg His Gln Leu Phe Ile Asn Phe Gln Asp Leu Gly Trp His 20 25 30 Lys Trp Val Ile Ala Pro Lys Gly Phe Met Ala Asn Tyr Cys His Gly 35 40 45 Glu Cys Pro Phe Ser Met Thr Thr Tyr Leu Asn Ser Ser Asn Tyr Ala 50 55 60 Phe Met Gln Ala Leu Met His Met Ala Asp Pro Lys Val Pro Lys Ala 65 70 75 80 Val Cys Val Pro Thr Lys Leu Ser Pro Ile Ser Met Leu Tyr Gln Asp 85 90 95 Ser Asp Lys Asn Val Ile Leu Arg His Tyr Glu Asp Met Val Val Asp 100 105 110 Glu Cys Gly Cys Gly 115 118 amino acids amino acid single linear protein GDF-9 Protein 1..118 8 Phe Asn Leu Ser Glu Tyr Phe Lys Gln Phe Leu Phe Pro Gln Asn Glu 1 5 10 15 Cys Glu Leu His Asp Phe Arg Leu Ser Phe Ser Gln Leu Lys Trp Asp 20 25 30 Asn Trp Ile Val Ala Pro His Arg Tyr Asn Pro Arg Tyr Cys Lys Gly 35 40 45 Asp Cys Pro Arg Ala Val Arg His Arg Tyr Gly Ser Pro Val His Thr 50 55 60 Met Val Gln Asn Ile Ile Tyr Glu Lys Leu Asp Pro Ser Val Pro Arg 65 70 75 80 Pro Ser Cys Val Pro Gly Lys Tyr Ser Pro Leu Ser Val Leu Thr Ile 85 90 95 Glu Pro Asp Gly Ser Ile Ala Tyr Lys Glu Tyr Glu Asp Met Ile Ala 100 105 110 Thr Arg Cys Thr Cys Arg 115 122 amino acids amino acid single linear protein GDF-1 Protein 1..122 9 Pro Arg Arg Asp Ala Glu Pro Val Leu Gly Gly Gly Pro Gly Gly Ala 1 5 10 15 Cys Arg Ala Arg Arg Leu Tyr Val Ser Phe Arg Glu Val Gly Trp His 20 25 30 Arg Trp Val Ile Ala Pro Arg Gly Phe Leu Ala Asn Tyr Cys Gln Gly 35 40 45 Gln Cys Ala Leu Pro Val Ala Leu Ser Gly Ser Gly Gly Pro Pro Ala 50 55 60 Leu Asn His Ala Val Leu Arg Ala Leu Met His Ala Ala Ala Pro Gly 65 70 75 80 Ala Ala Asp Leu Pro Cys Cys Val Pro Ala Arg Leu Ser Pro Ile Ser 85 90 95 Val Leu Phe Phe Asp Asn Ser Asp Asn Val Val Leu Arg Gln Tyr Glu 100 105 110 Asp Met Val Val Asp Glu Cys Gly Cys Arg 115 120 118 amino acids amino acid single linear protein Vg-1 Protein 1..118 10 Arg Arg Lys Arg Ser Tyr Ser Lys Leu Pro Phe Thr Ala Ser Asn Ile 1 5 10 15 Cys Lys Lys Arg His Leu Tyr Val Glu Phe Lys Asp Val Gly Trp Gln 20 25 30 Asn Trp Val Ile Ala Pro Gln Gly Tyr Met Ala Asn Tyr Cys Tyr Gly 35 40 45 Glu Cys Pro Tyr Pro Leu Thr Glu Ile Leu Asn Gly Ser Asn His Ala 50 55 60 Ile Leu Gln Thr Leu Val His Ser Ile Glu Pro Glu Asp Ile Pro Leu 65 70 75 80 Pro Cys Cys Val Pro Thr Lys Met Ser Pro Ile Ser Met Leu Phe Tyr 85 90 95 Asp Asn Asn Asp Asn Val Val Leu Arg His Tyr Glu Asn Met Ala Val 100 105 110 Asp Glu Cys Gly Cys Arg 115 118 amino acids amino acid single linear protein Vgr-1 Protein 1..118 11 Arg Val Ser Ser Ala Ser Asp Tyr Asn Ser Ser Glu Leu Lys Thr Ala 1 5 10 15 Cys Arg Lys His Glu Leu Tyr Val Ser Val Gln Asp Leu Gly Trp Gln 20 25 30 Asp Trp Ile Ile Ala Pro Lys Gly Tyr Ala Ala Asn Tyr Cys Asp Gly 35 40 45 Glu Cys Ser Phe Pro Leu Asn Ala His Met Asn Ala Thr Asn His Ala 50 55 60 Ile Val Gln Thr Leu Val His Leu Met Asn Pro Glu Tyr Val Pro Lys 65 70 75 80 Pro Cys Cys Ala Pro Thr Lys Leu Asn Ala Ile Ser Val Leu Tyr Phe 85 90 95 Asp Asp Asn Ser Asn Val Ile Leu Lys Lys Tyr Arg Asn Met Val Val 100 105 110 Arg Ala Cys Gly Cys His 115 118 amino acids amino acid single linear protein OP-1 Protein 1..118 12 Arg Met Ala Asn Val Ala Glu Asn Ser Ser Ser Asp Gln Arg Gln Ala 1 5 10 15 Cys Lys Lys His Glu Leu Tyr Val Ser Phe Arg Asp Leu Gly Trp Gln 20 25 30 Asp Trp Ile Ile Ala Pro Glu Gly Tyr Ala Ala Tyr Tyr Cys Glu Gly 35 40 45 Glu Cys Ala Phe Pro Leu Asn Ser Tyr Met Asn Ala Thr Asn His Ala 50 55 60 Ile Val Gln Thr Leu Val His Phe Ile Asn Pro Glu Thr Val Pro Lys 65 70 75 80 Pro Cys Cys Ala Pro Thr Gln Leu Asn Ala Ile Ser Val Leu Tyr Phe 85 90 95 Asp Asp Ser Ser Asn Val Ile Leu Lys Lys Tyr Arg Asn Met Val Val 100 105 110 Arg Ala Cys Gly Cys His 115 118 amino acids amino acid single linear protein BMP-5 Protein 1..118 13 Arg Met Ser Ser Val Gly Asp Tyr Asn Thr Ser Glu Gln Lys Gln Ala 1 5 10 15 Cys Lys Lys His Glu Leu Tyr Val Ser Phe Arg Asp Leu Gly Trp Gln 20 25 30 Asp Trp Ile Ile Ala Pro Glu Gly Tyr Ala Ala Phe Tyr Cys Asp Gly 35 40 45 Glu Cys Ser Phe Pro Leu Asn Ala His Met Asn Ala Thr Asn His Ala 50 55 60 Ile Val Gln Thr Leu Val His Leu Met Phe Pro Asp His Val Pro Lys 65 70 75 80 Pro Cys Cys Ala Pro Thr Lys Leu Asn Ala Ile Ser Val Leu Tyr Phe 85 90 95 Asp Asp Ser Ser Asn Val Ile Leu Lys Lys Tyr Arg Asn Met Val Val 100 105 110 Arg Ser Cys Gly Cys His 115 118 amino acids amino acid single linear protein 60A Protein 1..118 14 Ser Pro Asn Asn Val Pro Leu Leu Glu Pro Met Glu Ser Thr Arg Ser 1 5 10 15 Cys Gln Met Gln Thr Leu Tyr Ile Asp Phe Lys Asp Leu Gly Trp His 20 25 30 Asp Trp Ile Ile Ala Pro Glu Gly Tyr Gly Ala Phe Tyr Cys Ser Gly 35 40 45 Glu Cys Asn Phe Pro Leu Asn Ala His Met Asn Ala Thr Asn His Ala 50 55 60 Ile Val Gln Thr Leu Val His Leu Leu Glu Pro Lys Lys Val Pro Lys 65 70 75 80 Pro Cys Cys Ala Pro Thr Arg Leu Gly Ala Leu Pro Val Leu Tyr His 85 90 95 Leu Asn Asp Glu Asn Val Asn Leu Lys Lys Tyr Arg Asn Met Ile Val 100 105 110 Lys Ser Cys Gly Cys His 115 117 amino acids amino acid single linear protein BMP-2 Protein 1..117 15 Glu Lys Arg Gln Ala Lys His Lys Gln Arg Lys Arg Leu Lys Ser Ser 1 5 10 15 Cys Lys Arg His Pro Leu Tyr Val Asp Phe Ser Asp Val Gly Trp Asn 20 25 30 Asp Trp Ile Val Ala Pro Pro Gly Tyr His Ala Phe Tyr Cys His Gly 35 40 45 Glu Cys Pro Phe Pro Leu Ala Asp His Leu Asn Ser Thr Asn His Ala 50 55 60 Ile Val Gln Thr Leu Val Asn Ser Val Asn Ser Lys Ile Pro Lys Ala 65 70 75 80 Cys Cys Val Pro Thr Glu Leu Ser Ala Ile Ser Met Leu Tyr Leu Asp 85 90 95 Glu Asn Glu Lys Val Val Leu Lys Asn Tyr Gln Asp Met Val Val Glu 100 105 110 Gly Cys Gly Cys Arg 115 117 amino acids amino acid single linear protein BMP-4 Protein 1..117 16 Arg Ser Pro Lys His His Ser Gln Arg Ala Arg Lys Lys Asn Lys Asn 1 5 10 15 Cys Arg Arg His Ser Leu Tyr Val Asp Phe Ser Asp Val Gly Trp Asn 20 25 30 Asp Trp Ile Val Ala Pro Pro Gly Tyr Gln Ala Phe Tyr Cys His Gly 35 40 45 Asp Cys Pro Phe Pro Leu Ala Asp His Leu Asn Ser Thr Asn His Ala 50 55 60 Ile Val Gln Thr Leu Val Asn Ser Val Asn Ser Ser Ile Pro Lys Ala 65 70 75 80 Cys Cys Val Pro Thr Glu Leu Ser Ala Ile Ser Met Leu Tyr Leu Asp 85 90 95 Glu Tyr Asp Lys Val Val Leu Lys Asn Tyr Gln Glu Met Val Val Glu 100 105 110 Gly Cys Gly Cys Arg 115 118 amino acids amino acid single linear protein DPP Protein 1..118 17 Lys Arg His Ala Arg Arg Pro Thr Arg Arg Lys Asn His Asp Asp Thr 1 5 10 15 Cys Arg Arg His Ser Leu Tyr Val Asp Phe Ser Asp Val Gly Trp Asp 20 25 30 Asp Trp Ile Val Ala Pro Leu Gly Tyr Asp Ala Tyr Tyr Cys His Gly 35 40 45 Lys Cys Pro Phe Pro Leu Ala Asp His Phe Asn Ser Thr Asn His Ala 50 55 60 Val Val Gln Thr Leu Val Asn Asn Met Asn Pro Gly Lys Val Pro Lys 65 70 75 80 Ala Cys Cys Val Pro Thr Gln Leu Asp Ser Val Ala Met Leu Tyr Leu 85 90 95 Asn Asp Gln Ser Thr Val Val Leu Lys Asn Tyr Gln Glu Met Thr Val 100 105 110 Val Gly Cys Gly Cys Arg 115 119 amino acids amino acid single linear protein BMP-3 Protein 1..119 18 Gln Thr Leu Lys Lys Ala Arg Arg Lys Gln Trp Ile Glu Pro Arg Asn 1 5 10 15 Cys Ala Arg Arg Tyr Leu Lys Val Asp Phe Ala Asp Ile Gly Trp Ser 20 25 30 Glu Trp Ile Ile Ser Pro Lys Ser Phe Asp Ala Tyr Tyr Cys Ser Gly 35 40 45 Ala Cys Gln Phe Pro Met Pro Lys Ser Leu Lys Pro Ser Asn His Ala 50 55 60 Thr Ile Gln Ser Ile Val Arg Ala Val Gly Val Val Pro Gly Ile Pro 65 70 75 80 Glu Pro Cys Cys Val Pro Glu Lys Met Ser Ser Leu Ser Ile Leu Phe 85 90 95 Phe Asp Glu Asn Lys Asn Val Val Leu Lys Val Tyr Pro Asn Met Thr 100 105 110 Val Glu Ser Cys Ala Cys Arg 115 115 amino acids amino acid single linear protein MIS Protein 1..115 19 Pro Gly Arg Ala Gln Arg Ser Ala Gly Ala Thr Ala Ala Asp Gly Pro 1 5 10 15 Cys Ala Leu Arg Glu Leu Ser Val Asp Leu Arg Ala Glu Arg Ser Val 20 25 30 Leu Ile Pro Glu Thr Tyr Gln Ala Asn Asn Cys Gln Gly Val Cys Gly 35 40 45 Trp Pro Gln Ser Asp Arg Asn Pro Arg Tyr Gly Asn His Val Val Leu 50 55 60 Leu Leu Lys Met Gln Ala Arg Gly Ala Ala Leu Ala Arg Pro Pro Cys 65 70 75 80 Cys Val Pro Thr Ala Tyr Ala Gly Lys Leu Leu Ile Ser Leu Ser Glu 85 90 95 Glu Arg Ile Ser Ala His His Val Pro Asn Met Val Ala Thr Glu Cys 100 105 110 Gly Cys Arg 115 121 amino acids amino acid single linear protein Inhibin alpha Protein 1..121 20 Leu Arg Leu Leu Gln Arg Pro Pro Glu Glu Pro Ala Ala His Ala Asn 1 5 10 15 Cys His Arg Val Ala Leu Asn Ile Ser Phe Gln Glu Leu Gly Trp Glu 20 25 30 Arg Trp Ile Val Tyr Pro Pro Ser Phe Ile Phe His Tyr Cys His Gly 35 40 45 Gly Cys Gly Leu His Ile Pro Pro Asn Leu Ser Leu Pro Val Pro Gly 50 55 60 Ala Pro Pro Thr Pro Ala Gln Pro Tyr Ser Leu Leu Pro Gly Ala Gln 65 70 75 80 Pro Cys Cys Ala Ala Leu Pro Gly Thr Met Arg Pro Leu His Val Arg 85 90 95 Thr Thr Ser Asp Gly Gly Tyr Ser Phe Lys Tyr Glu Thr Val Pro Asn 100 105 110 Leu Leu Thr Gln His Cys Ala Cys Ile 115 120 121 amino acids amino acid single linear protein Inhibin beta A Protein 1..121 21 Arg Arg Arg Arg Arg Gly Leu Glu Cys Asp Gly Lys Val Asn Ile Cys 1 5 10 15 Cys Lys Lys Gln Phe Phe Val Ser Phe Lys Asp Ile Gly Trp Asn Asp 20 25 30 Trp Ile Ile Ala Pro Ser Gly Tyr His Ala Asn Tyr Cys Glu Gly Glu 35 40 45 Cys Pro Ser His Ile Ala Gly Thr Ser Gly Ser Ser Leu Ser Phe His 50 55 60 Ser Thr Val Ile Asn His Tyr Arg Met Arg Gly His Ser Pro Phe Ala 65 70 75 80 Asn Leu Lys Ser Cys Cys Val Pro Thr Lys Leu Arg Pro Met Ser Met 85 90 95 Leu Tyr Tyr Asp Asp Gly Gln Asn Ile Ile Lys Lys Asp Ile Gln Asn 100 105 110 Met Ile Val Glu Glu Cys Gly Cys Ser 115 120 120 amino acids amino acid single linear protein Inhibin beta B Protein 1..120 22 Arg Ile Arg Lys Arg Gly Leu Glu Cys Asp Gly Arg Thr Asn Leu Cys 1 5 10 15 Cys Arg Gln Gln Phe Phe Ile Asp Phe Arg Leu Ile Gly Trp Asn Asp 20 25 30 Trp Ile Ile Ala Pro Thr Gly Tyr Tyr Gly Asn Tyr Cys Glu Gly Ser 35 40 45 Cys Pro Ala Tyr Leu Ala Gly Val Pro Gly Ser Ala Ser Ser Phe His 50 55 60 Thr Ala Val Val Asn Gln Tyr Arg Met Arg Gly Leu Asn Pro Gly Thr 65 70 75 80 Val Asn Ser Cys Cys Ile Pro Thr Lys Leu Ser Thr Met Ser Met Leu 85 90 95 Tyr Phe Asp Asp Glu Tyr Asn Ile Val Lys Arg Asp Val Pro Asn Met 100 105 110 Ile Val Glu Glu Cys Gly Cys Ala 115 120 114 amino acids amino acid single linear protein TGF-beta 1 Protein 1..114 23 Arg Arg Ala Leu Asp Thr Asn Tyr Cys Phe Ser Ser Thr Glu Lys Asn 1 5 10 15 Cys Cys Val Arg Gln Leu Tyr Ile Asp Phe Arg Lys Asp Leu Gly Trp 20 25 30 Lys Trp Ile His Glu Pro Lys Gly Tyr His Ala Asn Phe Cys Leu Gly 35 40 45 Pro Cys Pro Tyr Ile Trp Ser Leu Asp Thr Gln Tyr Ser Lys Val Leu 50 55 60 Ala Leu Tyr Asn Gln His Asn Pro Gly Ala Ser Ala Ala Pro Cys Cys 65 70 75 80 Val Pro Gln Ala Leu Glu Pro Leu Pro Ile Val Tyr Tyr Val Gly Arg 85 90 95 Lys Pro Lys Val Glu Gln Leu Ser Asn Met Ile Val Arg Ser Cys Lys 100 105 110 Cys Ser 114 amino acids amino acid single linear protein TGF-beta 2 Protein 1..114 24 Lys Arg Ala Leu Asp Ala Ala Tyr Cys Phe Arg Asn Val Gln Asp Asn 1 5 10 15 Cys Cys Leu Arg Pro Leu Tyr Ile Asp Phe Lys Arg Asp Leu Gly Trp 20 25 30 Lys Trp Ile His Glu Pro Lys Gly Tyr Asn Ala Asn Phe Cys Ala Gly 35 40 45 Ala Cys Pro Tyr Leu Trp Ser Ser Asp Thr Gln His Ser Arg Val Leu 50 55 60 Ser Leu Tyr Asn Thr Ile Asn Pro Glu Ala Ser Ala Ser Pro Cys Cys 65 70 75 80 Val Ser Gln Asp Leu Glu Pro Leu Thr Ile Leu Tyr Tyr Ile Gly Lys 85 90 95 Thr Pro Lys Ile Glu Gln Leu Ser Asn Met Ile Val Lys Ser Cys Lys 100 105 110 Cys Ser 114 amino acids amino acid single linear protein TGF-beta 3 Protein 1..114 25 Lys Arg Ala Leu Asp Thr Asn Tyr Cys Phe Arg Asn Leu Glu Glu Asn 1 5 10 15 Cys Cys Val Arg Pro Leu Tyr Ile Asp Phe Arg Gln Asp Leu Gly Trp 20 25 30 Lys Trp Val His Glu Pro Lys Gly Tyr Tyr Ala Asn Phe Cys Ser Gly 35 40 45 Pro Cys Pro Tyr Leu Arg Ser Ala Asp Thr Thr His Ser Thr Val Leu 50 55 60 Gly Leu Tyr Asn Thr Leu Asn Pro Glu Ala Ser Ala Ser Pro Cys Cys 65 70 75 80 Val Pro Gln Asp Leu Glu Pro Leu Thr Ile Leu Tyr Tyr Val Gly Arg 85 90 95 Thr Pro Lys Val Glu Gln Leu Ser Asn Met Val Val Lys Ser Cys Lys 100 105 110 Cys Ser 116 amino acids amino acid single linear protein TGF-beta 4 Protein 1..116 26 Arg Arg Asp Leu Asp Thr Asp Tyr Cys Phe Gly Pro Gly Thr Asp Glu 1 5 10 15 Lys Asn Cys Cys Val Arg Pro Leu Tyr Ile Asp Phe Arg Lys Asp Leu 20 25 30 Gln Trp Lys Trp Ile His Glu Pro Lys Gly Tyr Met Ala Asn Phe Cys 35 40 45 Met Gly Pro Cys Pro Tyr Ile Trp Ser Ala Asp Thr Gln Tyr Thr Lys 50 55 60 Val Leu Ala Leu Tyr Asn Gln His Asn Pro Gly Ala Ser Ala Ala Pro 65 70 75 80 Cys Cys Val Pro Gln Thr Leu Asp Pro Leu Pro Ile Ile Tyr Tyr Val 85 90 95 Gly Arg Asn Val Arg Val Glu Gln Leu Ser Asn Met Val Val Arg Ala 100 105 110 Cys Lys Cys Ser 115 114 amino acids amino acid single linear protein TGF-beta 5 Protein 1..114 27 Lys Arg Gly Val Gly Gln Glu Tyr Cys Phe Gly Asn Asn Gly Pro Asn 1 5 10 15 Cys Cys Val Lys Pro Leu Tyr Ile Asn Phe Arg Lys Asp Leu Gly Trp 20 25 30 Lys Trp Ile His Glu Pro Lys Gly Tyr Glu Ala Asn Tyr Cys Leu Gly 35 40 45 Asn Cys Pro Tyr Ile Trp Ser Met Asp Thr Gln Tyr Ser Lys Val Leu 50 55 60 Ser Leu Tyr Asn Gln Asn Asn Pro Gly Ala Ser Ile Ser Pro Cys Cys 65 70 75 80 Val Pro Asp Val Leu Glu Pro Leu Pro Ile Ile Tyr Tyr Val Gly Arg 85 90 95 Thr Ala Lys Val Glu Gln Leu Ser Asn Met Val Val Arg Ser Cys Asn 100 105 110 Cys Ser 201 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA (genomic) GDF-3 CDS 1..201 28 AAG GGG TTC ATG GCA AAT TAC TGC CAT GGA GAG TGT CCC TTC TCA CTG 48 Lys Gly Phe Met Ala Asn Tyr Cys His Gly Glu Cys Pro Phe Ser Leu 1 5 10 15 ACC ATC TCT CTC AAC AGC TCC AAT TAT GCT TTC ATG CAA GCC CTG ATG 96 Thr Ile Ser Leu Asn Ser Ser Asn Tyr Ala Phe Met Gln Ala Leu Met 20 25 30 CAT GCC GTT GAC CCA GAG ATC CCC CAG GCT GTG TGT ATC CCC ACC AAG 144 His Ala Val Asp Pro Glu Ile Pro Gln Ala Val Cys Ile Pro Thr Lys 35 40 45 CTG TCT CCC ATT TCC ATG CTC TAC CAG GAC AAT AAT GAC AAT GTC ATT 192 Leu Ser Pro Ile Ser Met Leu Tyr Gln Asp Asn Asn Asp Asn Val Ile 50 55 60 CTA CGA CAT 201 Leu Arg His 65 67 amino acids amino acid linear protein 29 Lys Gly Phe Met Ala Asn Tyr Cys His Gly Glu Cys Pro Phe Ser Leu 1 5 10 15 Thr Ile Ser Leu Asn Ser Ser Asn Tyr Ala Phe Met Gln Ala Leu Met 20 25 30 His Ala Val Asp Pro Glu Ile Pro Gln Ala Val Cys Ile Pro Thr Lys 35 40 45 Leu Ser Pro Ile Ser Met Leu Tyr Gln Asp Asn Asn Asp Asn Val Ile 50 55 60 Leu Arg His 65 

1. Substantially pure growth differentiation factor-3 (GDF-3) and functional fragments thereof.
 2. An isolated polynucleotide sequence encoding the GDF-3 polypeptide of claim
 1. 3. The polynucleotide sequence of claim 2, wherein the polynucleotide is isolated from a mammalian cell.
 4. The polynucleotide of claim 3, wherein the mammalian cell is selected from the group consisting of mouse, rat, and human cell.
 5. An expression vector including the polynucleotide of claim
 2. 6. The vector of claim 5, wherein the vector is a plasmid.
 7. The vector of claim 5, wherein the vector is a virus.
 8. A host cell stably transformed with the vector of claim
 5. 9. The host cell of claim 8, wherein the cell is prokaryotic.
 10. The host cell of claim 8, wherein the cell is eukaryotic.
 11. Antibodies reactive with the polypeptide of claim 1 or fragments thereof.
 12. The antibodies of claim 11, wherein the antibodies are polyclonal.
 13. The antibodies of claim 11, wherein the antibodies are monoclonal.
 14. A method of detecting a cell proliferative disorder comprising contacting the antibody of claim 11 with a specimen of a subject suspected of having a GDF-3 associated disorder and detecting binding of the antibody.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the cell is a hematopoietic cell.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the cell proliferative disorder is leukemia.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the detecting is in vivo.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the antibody is detectably labeled.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the detectable label is selected from the group consisting of a radioisotope, a fluorescent compound, a bioluminescent compound and a chemiluminescent compound.
 20. The method of claim 14, wherein the detection is in vitro.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the antibody is detectably labeled.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the label is selected from the group consisting of a radioisotope, a fluorescent compound, a bioluminescent compound, a chemoluminescent compound and an enzyme.
 23. A method of treating a cell proliferative disorder associated with expression of GDF-3, comprising contacting the cells with a reagent which suppresses the GDF-3 activity.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the reagent is an anti-GDF-3 antibody.
 25. The method of claim 23, wherein the reagent is a GDF-3 antisense sequence.
 26. The method of claim 23, wherein the cell is a hematopoietic cell.
 27. The method of claim 23, wherein the cell proliferative disorder is leukemia.
 28. The method of claim 23, wherein the reagent which suppresses GDF-3 activity is introduced to a cell using a vector.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the vector is a colloidal dispersion system.
 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the colloidal dispersion system is a liposome.
 31. The method of claim 30, wherein the liposome is essentially target specific.
 32. The method of claim 31, wherein the liposome is anatomically targeted.
 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the liposome is mechanistically targeted.
 34. The method of claim 33, wherein the mechanistic targeting is passive.
 35. The method of claim 33, wherein the mechanistic targeting is active.
 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the liposome is actively targeted by coupling with a moiety selected from the group consisting of a sugar, a glycolipid, and a protein.
 37. The method of claim 36, wherein the protein moiety is an antibody.
 38. The method of claim 37, wherein the vector is a virus.
 39. The method of claim 38, wherein the virus is an RNA virus.
 40. The method of claim 39, wherein the RNA virus is a retrovirus.
 41. The method of claim 40, wherein the retrovirus is essentially target specific.
 42. The method of claim 41, wherein the moiety for target specificity is encoded by a polynucleotide inserted into the retroviral genome.
 43. The method of claim 42, wherein the moiety for target specificity is selected from the group consisting of a sugar, a glycolipid, and a protein.
 44. The method of claim 43, wherein the protein is an antibody. 